Train maintenance automating system

ABSTRACT

An automation system for train maintenance that performs operations related to train maintenance without human intervention is provided. The automation system for train maintenance comprises a refuse reservoir ( 10 ), a sewage tank ( 20 ), a water tank ( 30 ), and expanders ( 41, 42, 51, 61 ). In this automation system, when a railway vehicle is parked, the expanders ( 41, 42, 51, 61 ) are expanded to lift connectors ( 45, 54, 64 ) toward the railway vehicle for connection to the refuse reservoir ( 10 ), sewage tank ( 20 ), and water tank ( 30 ). In this automation system, discharge of refuse, removal of sewage, and feeding of water are automatically performed. Upon completion of these operations, the expanders ( 41, 42, 51, 61 ) are contracted so that the connectors ( 44, 45, 54, 55, 64, 65 ) are stored in waiting locations ( 48, 58 ). Therefore, use of this automation system for train maintenance allows automatic train maintenance without human intervention.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an automation system for train maintenance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, a railway vehicle forming a train like a bullet train isequipped with a refuse reservoir for storing refuse produced inside thevehicle, a water tank for storing water such as drinking water, and asewage tank for storing sewage produced inside the vehicle. Thosereservoir and tanks are provided in the lower part of the vehicle.

Operations for train maintenance, like removal of refuse from the refusereservoir, feeding of water to the water tank and suction of sewage fromthe sewage tank, are performed at train stations where the train stopsand in train maintenance grounds.

Among the above mentioned operations, removal of refuse is performeddirectly by a laborer who opens a lid, provided on the outer side of thevehicle and covering a passage leading the refuse reservoir, and takesout the refuse collected in the reservoir by hand.

Feeding of water is also performed by a laborer, who attaches a hoseextending from a feed pump provided on the ground to a faucet of thewater tank manually. Suction of sewage is also performed by a laborer,who attaches a hose extending from a suction pump provided on the groundto suck the sewage to a faucet of the sewage tank manually.

However, such operations are so-called three-K (a coined word generatedfrom the first letter of three adjectives in Japanese language, that is,“Kiken (dangerous)”, “Kitanai (dirty)” and “Kitsui (hard)”) operations.Therefore, there are not many young people who are willing to take oversuch operations. This tendency is expected to go high in the nearfuture, due to decline of the birthrate. Accordingly, automation of suchoperations has been desired.

In addition, the laborer will be exposed to a magnetic field of a superconductive magnet during the operations if the maintenance of a railwayvehicle forming a maglev train is performed in the conventional manner.To avoid such danger, the super conductive magnet has to bedemagnetized. Once the super conductive magnet is demagnetized, however,it takes long to magnetize the super conductive magnet once again. Thusoperating performance of the train is lowered. Moreover, on a track ofthe maglev train, a guideway for guiding a maglev train is provided.Since the sidewalls of th e guideway, which stand on both sides of themaglev train, hinder easy access to the lower part of the vehicle,automation of such train maintenance operations is strongly desired inthis field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the pre sent invention is to provide an automation systemfor train maintenance, which allows maintenance of a train without humanintervention.

In order to attain the above object, the present invention set forthprovides an automation system for train maintenance which maintains atrain while the train is parked. The system comprises storing meansprovided on a railway vehicle forming a train, feeding/discharging meansprovided on the ground for feeding the storage to be supplied to anddischarge the storage to be discharged from the storing means via afeeding/discharging opening, and feeding/discharging opening shiftingmeans for access movement, that is, moving the feeding/dischargingopening of the feeding/discharging means toward the railway vehicle fromthe waiting location on the ground to connect the opening to the storingmeans and for disconnection movement, that is, moving thefeeding/discharging opening connected to the storing means away from therailway vehicle toward the waiting location to disconnect the openingfrom the storing means. The system further comprises parkingdetermination means for determining whether the train is parked,connection determination means for determining whether thefeeding/discharging means is connected to the storing means,feeding/discharging completion determination means for determiningwhether the feeding of the storage to be supplied or discharge of thestorage to be discharged is completed, access control means for urgingthe feeding/discharging means to perform the access movement when theparking determination means determines that the train is parked,feeding/discharging movement control means for urging thefeeding/discharging means to feed the storage to be supplied ordischarge storage to be discharged when the connection determinationmeans determines that the feeding/discharging opening is connected tothe storing means, and disconnection movement control means for urgingthe feeding/discharging opening shifting means to perform thedisconnection movement when the feeding/discharging completiondetermination means determines that the feeding of the storage to besupplied or discharge of the storage to be discharged is completed.

The automation system for train maintenance of the present inventionprovides the feeding/discharging means and the feeding/dischargingopening shifting means for moving the feeding/discharging opening of thefeeding/discharging means toward or away from the railway vehicle on theground. The feeding/discharging opening is moved toward the railwayvehicle from the waiting location to be connected to the storing meanswhen it is determined that the train is parked, and is disconnected fromthe storing means when it is determined that the feeding of the storageto be supplied or discharge of the storage to be discharged iscompleted. In this way, the operation for connecting and disconnectingthe feeding/discharging opening to and from the storing means isautomatically performed. Furthermore, the automation system of thepresent invention activates the feeding/discharging means when it isdetermined that the feeding/discharging opening is connected to thestoring means and inactivates the feeding/discharging means when it isdetermined that the feeding of the storage to be supplied or dischargeof the storage to be discharged is completed. In this way, the operationfor feeding the storage to be supplied or discharging the storage to bedischarged is automatically performed when the feeding/dischargingopening is connected to the storing means. In other words, theautomation system for train maintenance of the present inventionautomates the operations relating to the train maintenance byautomatically performing the operation for connecting and disconnectingthe feeding/discharging opening to and from the storing means and theoperation for feeding the storage to be supplied and discharging of thestorage to be discharged by way of the feeding/discharging means.Accordingly, the automation system for train maintenance of the presentinvention allows automatic train maintenance without human intervention.

For example, if the storing means is a refuse reservoir, the storage tobe discharged is refuse, etc. produced inside the vehicle, and if thestoring means is a sewage tank, the storage to be discharged is sewagelike excreta and the storage to be supplied is water, etc. to fluidifythe sewage. If the storing means is a water tank, the storage to besupplied and discharged is drinking water, etc., and if the storingmeans is a fuel tank, the storage to be supplied is fuel. Various othercombinations of the storing means and the storage to be supplied anddischarged can be considered.

The invention set forth provides the automation system for trainmaintenance as set forth that further comprises traveling directionshifting means. When the parking determination means determines that thetrain is parked, the access movement control means urges the travelingdirection shifting means to move the feeding/discharging opening to thepredetermined position if there is a gap between the actual parkingposition where the train is actually parked and the predeterminedparking position where the train is to be parked, and urges thefeeding/discharging opening shifting means to perform the accessmovement. In this case, if the vehicle is not parked at thepredetermined position, the feeding/discharging opening is moved to theposition where the train maintenance is possible to eliminate the gapbetween the actual parking position and the predetermined parkingposition. Accordingly, the automation system for train maintenance ofthe present invention allows automatic train maintenance even if therailway vehicle is not parked at the right position.

The invention set forth provides the automation system for trainmaintenance as set forth wherein the feeding/discharging openingshifting means is formed from vibration absorbent which absorbsvibration of the railway vehicle. In this case, even if the vehiclevibrates during getting on and off of the passengers, thefeeding/discharging opening shifting means also vibrates to thevibration so as not to disconnect the feeding/discharging opening fromthe storing means. Accordingly, the automation system for trainmaintenance of the present invention allows reliable maintenance of therailway vehicle even during getting on and off of the passengers.Particularly, as set forth, it is preferable that thefeeding/discharging opening shifting means is constituted from amultiple-layered airing which is composed of expandable airings that arelayered in their expanding direction.

The invention set forth discloses the automation system for trainmaintenance as set forth wherein the storing means is provided withgrinding means for grinding the storage to be discharged inside thestoring means. The automation system for train maintenance of thepresent invention grinds the storage to be discharged stored in thestoring means, and thus ensures discharge of the storage to bedischarged like refuse that is larger than the opening area of thefeeding/discharging opening.

In the invention set forth, the feeding/discharging means includesvacuuming means for vacuuming the storage to be discharged from thestoring means. The storing means comprises a lid capable of sealing amouth provided in the passenger cabin of the railway vehicle forthrowing the storage to be discharged into the storing means and airsupplying means for supplying the air to the storing means. While thestorage to be discharged is being vacuumed by the vacuuming means, themouth is sealed with the lid and the air is supplied to the storingmeans by the air supplying means. In the automation system for trainmaintenance of the present invention, the mouth provided in thepassenger cabin is sealed with the lid while the storage to bedischarged like refuse is being vacuumed. Therefore, suction of the airin the passenger cabin is avoided and thus, discharge of the storage tobe discharged can be performed without offending the passengers.Furthermore, in the automation system for train maintenance of thepresent invention, the air supplying means supplies the air to thestoring means while the air is being vacuumed. Therefore, even if theair present at the beginning inside the storing means sealed by sealingof the mouth is sucked, continuous discharge of the storage to bedischarged is possible owing to the supplied air. Moreover, collapse ofthe storing means is avoided even if the air pressure inside the storingmeans is lowered.

Then, as set forth, it is preferable that the air supplying meansdiffuses the storage to be discharged toward the direction of thedischarge opening by means of the air supplied into the storing means.In this way, the storage to be discharged inside the storing means isdiffused and can be discharged without being stuck inside the storingmeans.

The invention set forth provides the automation system for trainmaintenance as set forth that further comprises female connecting meansthat is provided in one of a connection opening of the storing means andthe feeding/discharging opening of the feeding/discharging means. Thefemale connecting means is formed into a taper so that the opening areaof the female connecting means is enlarged toward the tip. Theautomation system for train maintenance also comprises male connectingmeans, for being connected to the female connecting means, that isprovided in the other of the connection opening of the storing means andthe feeding/discharging opening of the feeding/discharging means. Theaccess movement means urges the feeding/discharging opening shiftingmeans to perform the access movement when the female connecting meansfaces the male connecting means. In this manner, even if the railwayvehicle is not parked at the right position and the feeding/dischargingopening is thus more or less off the position to be attached to thestoring means, the male connecting means can move its position along thetaper of the female connecting means, if only the male connecting meansis positioned within the opening area of the female connecting means.Thus the feeding/discharging opening is guided to the position where itcan be connected to the storing means, while the feeding/dischargingopening is being moved toward the vehicle. Therefore, the connection ofthe feeding/discharging opening to the storing means is ensured.

The invention set forth provides isolation means for preventingfluctuation of the air pressure from affecting the environment insidethe railway vehicle through an opening provided on the vehicle forconnecting the feeding/discharging opening to the storing meansinstalled in the vehicle. Then, fluctuation of the air pressure whichmay be caused by passing of the other trains during the trainmaintenance does not affect the air inside the vehicle, and thus theenvironment in the passenger cabin can be comfortably maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an automation system for train maintenance of the presentembodiment as a whole;

FIG. 2 is a layout plan of first to third feeding/discharging openingshifting devices, a refuse reservoir, a sewage tank and a water tank toa railway vehicle and a travel passage;

FIG. 3 is a layout plan of the third feeding/discharging openingshifting device and water tank, viewed from the traveling direction ofthe railway vehicle;

FIGS. 4A-4C are cross sectional views of a faucet and a connector of thefirst feeding/discharging opening shifting means, in which FIG. 4A showsthe view before connecting the faucet to the connector, FIG. 4B showsthe view after the connection, and FIG. 4C shows the view ofcommunication to a storing portion;

FIGS. 5A-5C are cross sectional views of a faucet and a connector of thesecond feeding/discharging opening shifting means, in which FIG. 5Ashows the view before connecting the faucet to the connector, FIG. 5Bshows the view after the connection, and FIG. 5C shows the view in themiddle of discharge of sewage;

FIGS. 6A-6C are cross sectional views of a faucet and a connector of thethird feeding/discharging shifting opening means, in which FIG. 6A showsthe view before connecting the faucet to the connector, FIG. 6B showsthe view after the connection, and FIG. 6C shows the view in the middleof feeding of water;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a parking verifying process;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a refuse discharging process to be performedupon discharge of the refuse from the refuse reservoir;

FIGS. 9A-9F are explanatory views illustrating movements of therespective devices upon discharge of the refuse from the refusereservoir;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a sewage discharging process and a waterfeeding process for feeding water to the water tank, to be performedupon discharge of the sewage from the sewage tank; and

FIGS. 11A-11E are explanatory views illustrating movements of therespective devices upon suction of the sewage from the sewage tank andupon feeding of water to the water tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an automation system for train maintenance of the presentembodiment as a whole. FIG. 2 is a layout plan of first to thirdfeeding/discharging opening shifting devices, a refuse reservoir, asewage tank and a water tank to a railway vehicle and a travel passage.The sewage reservoir is shown in perspective. FIG. 3 is a layout plan ofthe third feeding/discharging opening shifting device and water tank,viewed from the traveling direction (arrow Y direction in FIG. 2) of therailway vehicle. FIGS. 4A-4C are cross sectional views of a connector ofthe first feeding/discharging opening shifting device and a faucet ofthe refuse reservoir. FIG. 4A shows the view before connecting thefaucet to the connector, FIG. 4B shows the view after the connection,and FIG. 4C shows the view when an inner partition is removed. FIGS.5A-5C are cross sectional views of a connector of the secondfeeding/discharging opening means and a faucet of the sewage tank. FIG.5A shows the view before connecting the faucet to the connector, FIG. 5Bshows the view after the connection, and FIG. 5C shows the view when avalve is open. FIGS. 6A-6C are cross sectional views of a connector ofthe third feeding/discharging opening means and a faucet of the watertank. FIG. 6A shows the view before connecting the faucet to theconnector, FIG. 6B shows the view after the connection, and FIG. 6Cshows the view when a valve is open.

An automation system 1 of the present embodiment comprises a refusereservoir 10, a sewage tank 20, a water tank 30, a firstfeeding/discharging opening shifting device 40, a secondfeeding/discharging opening shifting device 50, a thirdfeeding/discharging opening shifting device 60, and ground equipment 70,as shown in FIG. 1. This automation system 1 is controlled by a controldevice 79 provided with the ground equipment 70. Transmission andreception of control signals exchanged between the ground equipment 70and a railway vehicle 90 are performed via the existing communicationfacility which allows communication between the railway vehicle 90 sideand the ground side.

Constitution of the refuse reservoir 10 is now described.

The refuse reservoir 10, as shown in FIG. 2, is placed under a floor 92which forms a passenger cabin of the railway vehicle 90 (see FIG. 1). Itcomprises a grinder 11, a compressed air supplying unit 12, a faucet 13,a body side cover 14, and a partition wall 15. Part of the refusereservoir 10 extends above the floor 92. The extended portion isreferred to as a trash box portion 18, and the portion to which therefuse sent from the trash box portion 18 is stored is referred to as astoring portion 19 hereafter. This refuse reservoir 10 corresponds tothe storing means of the present invention, and the refuse to be storedin the refuse reservoir 10 corresponds to the storage to be discharged.The partition wall 15 corresponds to the isolation means of the presentinvention.

The grinder 11 is positioned in the vicinity of the boundary between thetrash box portion 18 and the storing portion 19. It grinds the refusethrown into the trash box portion 18 and carries the ground refuse intothe storing portion 19. The grinder 11 detects a drop of the refuse intothe trash box portion 18, and is activated for a predetermined period oftime. This grinder 11 is driven by a motor 110 provided outside therefuse reservoir 10. The grinder 11 may be operated at all times duringthe railway vehicle 90 is in service.

The compressed air supplying unit 12 comprises a spouting unit 120 and afaucet 122. The spouting unit 120 is arranged in the ceiling part of thestoring portion 19. The faucet 122 is arranged between the bottom of therefuse reservoir 10 and a bottom part 94 of the railway vehicle 90. Thespouting unit 120 and the faucet 122 are connected to each other via apipe 124 provided along the outer periphery of the refuse reservoir 10.The spouting unit 120 comprises a plurality of nozzles 121. In thiscompressed air supplying unit 12, the faucet 122 is connected to aconnector 44 of the first feeding/discharging opening shifting device40. As the compressed air is sent from the first feeding/dischargingopening shifting device 40, the compressed air spouts from the nozzles121 of the spouting unit 120 toward the refuse. The compressed airsupplying unit 12 and a compressed air pump 73 (see FIG. 1) composingthe ground equipment 70 correspond to the air supplying means of thepresent invention.

The faucet 13 is attached to the bottom of the refuse reservoir 10. Asshown in FIG. 4A, it has a discharging hole 134 for discharging therefuse collected in the storing portion 19 to the outside. The faucet 13is provided with a first inner partition 130 for closing the discharginghole 134 on the storing portion 19 side, and a second inner partition132 for closing the discharging hole 134 on the more outer side than thefirst inner partition 130. These inner partitions 130, 132 open andclose the discharging hole 134 according to instructions from thecontrol device 79. The faucet 13 also comprises a male connectingportion 136 of which periphery of an end to which the connector 45 is tobe connected is turned up to form an umbrella-like shape. In a grooveprovided on the tip of the turnup, a gasket 138 is provided so that theairtight connection between the male connecting portion 136 and a femaleconnecting portion 453 can be realized. The first inner partition 130,which directly separates the inner side of the refuse reservoir 10 fromthe outside, is for isolation of the refuse. The second inner partition132, which separates the inner side of the refuse reservoir 10 from theoutside on the more outer side than the first inner partition 130, isfor securing the airtight condition. In this manner, even if the firstinner partition 130 does not close completely owing to the stuck refuse,etc., the second inner partition can succeed in separating the innerside of the refuse reservoir 10 from the outside in the airtight manner.

The body side cover 14 is arranged on the bottom part 94 facing thefaucets 122 and 13, as shown in FIG. 2. It is opened and closedaccording to instructions from the control device 79. The body sidecover 14 allows the connector 44 to be connected to the faucet 122 aswell as the connector 45 to be connected to the faucet 13 externally.

The partition wall 15 is arranged to surround a space between the refusereservoir 10 and the bottom part 94. In the space, the faucets 122 and13 are arranged. The partition wall 15 is so arranged that it separatesthe inner side of the railway vehicle 90 from the outside in theairtight manner when the body side cover 14 is opened. The partitionwall 15 is provided so that the change in the air pressure which may becaused when the other trains pass the station does not affect the air inthe passenger cabin.

The trash box portion 18 is provided with a mouth 180 on the side of itsupper portion. It is also provided with a lid 182 for opening andclosing the mouth 180. The lid 182 can be locked by instructions fromthe control device 79 and close the trash box 18 in the airtight manner.

Now, constitution of the sewage tank 20 is explained.

The sewage tank 20 is provided under the floor 92.

It comprises a sewage discharging duct 21, a water feeding duct 22, afaucet 23, a faucet 24, a body side cover 25, and a partition wall 26.The sewage like waste water produced in a toilet and lavatory installedin the railway vehicle 90 is collected in the sewage tank 20. The sewagetank 20 corresponds to the storing means of the present invention, thesewage to be collected corresponds to the storage to be discharged, andthe partition 26 corresponds to the isolation means.

The sewage discharging duct 21 is connected to the bottom part of thesewage tank 20. The sewage inside the sewage tank 20 is discharged tothe outside through the faucet 23.

The water feeding duct 22 is a duct for feeding base water into thesewage tank 20 after removal of the sewage. It feeds base water suppliedfrom the outside through the faucet 24 into the sewage tank 20. Thisbase water prevents the sewage from being stuck to the sewage tank 20while the sewage is stored inside the sewage tank 20. Being dischargedwith the sewage, it also helps smooth discharge of the sewage from thesewage tank 20 and cleans the inside of the sewage tank 20.

The faucet 23 is connected to the sewage discharging duct 21 via arotary valve 238, as shown in FIG. 5A. It has a communicating hole 231leading to the sewage discharging duct 21. By rotating a valve 239according to instructions from the control device 79, the rotary valve238 allows communication between the communicating hole 231 and thesewage discharging duct 21, as shown in FIG. 5C. The faucet 23 comprisesa male connecting portion 233 of which periphery of an end to which aconnector 54 of the second feeding/discharging opening shifting device50 is to be connected is turned up to form an umbrella-like shape. In agroove provided on the tip of the turnup, a gasket 234 is provided sothat the airtight connection between a female connecting portion 543 andthe male connecting portion 233 can be realized.

The faucet 24 is connected to the base water feeding duct 22 via arotary valve 248, as shown in FIG. 6A. It has a communicating hole 241leading to the base water feeding duct 22. By rotating a valve 249according to instructions from the control device 79, the rotary valve248 allows communication between the communicating hole 241 and the basewater feeding duct 22, as shown in FIG. 6C. The faucet 24 comprises afemale connecting portion 243 formed into a taper so that the openingarea is enlarged toward the tip, on the periphery of an end of thefaucet 24 which is to be connected to a connector 55 of the secondfeeding/discharging opening shifting device 50.

The body side cover 25 is arranged on the bottom part 94 facing thefaucets 23 and 24, as shown in FIG. 2.

It is opened and closed according to instructions from the controldevice 79. The body side cover 25 allows the connector 54 to beconnected to the faucet 23 as well as the connector 55 to be connectedto the faucet 24 externally.

The partition wall 26 is arranged to surround a space between thefaucets 23, 24. It is so arranged that it separates the inner side ofthe railway vehicle 90 from the outside in the airtight manner when thebody side cover 25 is opened. The partition wall 26, like the partitionwall 15, is provided so that the change in the air pressure which may becaused when the other trains pass the station does not affect the air inthe passenger cabin.

Constitution of the water tank 30 is now described.

The water tank 30 is provided under the floor 92. It comprises a waterfeeding duct 31, a water discharging duct 32, a faucet 33, a faucet 34,a body side cover 35, and a partition wall 36. Water to be used asdrinking water and washing water in a water feeder, a lavatory andtoilet installed in the railway vehicle 90 is stored in the water tank30. The water tank 30 corresponds to the storing means of the presentinvention. The water to be stored in the water tank 30 corresponds tothe storage to be fed.

The water feeding duct 31 is connected to the ceiling of the water tank30. The water supplied from the outside through the faucet 33 is fedinto the water tank 30.

The water discharging duct 32 is connected to the bottom of the watertank 30. It discharges water stored inside the water tank 30 through thefaucet 34.

The water tank 30 is designed to discharge the water after apredetermined period of time. Accordingly, this water discharging duct32 is used to discharge water inside the water tank 30 after thepredetermined period of time. In the present embodiment, discharge ofthe water in the water tank 30 may be performed when necessary, withoutfixing the time interval.

The faucet 33 is connected to the water feeding duct 31 via a rotaryvalve 338, as shown in FIG. 6A. It has a communicating hole 331 leadingto the water feeding duct 31. By rotating a valve 339 according toinstructions from the control device 79, the rotary valve 338 allowscommunication between the communicating hole 331 and the water feedingduct 31, as shown in FIG. 6C. The faucet 33 comprises a femaleconnecting portion 333 formed into a taper so that the opening area isenlarged toward the tip, on the periphery of an end of the faucet 33which is to be connected to a connector 64 of the thirdfeeding/discharging opening shifting device 60.

The faucet 34 is connected to the water discharging duct 32 via a rotaryvalve 348, as shown in FIG. 5A. It has a communicating hole 341 leadingto the water discharging duct 32. By rotating a valve 349 according toinstructions from the control device 79, the rotary valve 348 allowscommunication between the communicating hole 341 and the waterdischarging duct 32, as shown in FIG. 5C. The faucet 34 comprises a maleconnecting portion 343 of which periphery of an end to which a connector64 of the third feeding/discharging opening shifting device 60 is to beconnected is turned up to form an umbrella-like shape. In a grooveprovided on the tip of the turnup, a gasket 344 is provided so that theairtight connection between a female connecting portion 653 and the maleconnecting portion 343 can be realized.

The body side cover 35 is arranged on the bottom part 94 facing thefaucets 33 and 34, as shown in FIG. 2.

It is opened and closed according to instructions from the controldevice 79. The body side cover 35 allows the connector 64 to beconnected to the faucet 33 as well as the connector 65 to be connectedto the faucet 34 externally.

The partition wall 36 is arranged to surround a space between thefaucets 33, 34. It is so arranged that it separates the inner side ofthe railway vehicle 90 from the outside in the airtight manner when thebody side cover 35 is opened. The partition wall 36, like the partitionwall 15, is provided so that the change in the air pressure which may becaused when the other trains pass the station does not affect the air inthe passenger cabin. The partition wall 36 corresponds to the isolationmeans of the present invention.

Constitution of the first feeding/discharging opening shifting device 40is explained hereafter.

This first feeding/discharging opening shifting device 40 comprisesexpanders 41, 42, a refuse discharging duct 43, a connector 44, aconnector 45, a shifter 46, and a ground side cover 47. The firstsupply/discharging opening shifting device 40 is installed within awaiting location 48 excavated about in the middle of travel passages 82,82 with which a pair of wheels 96, 96 (see FIG. 3) of the railwayvehicle 90 are in contact.

The expanders 41, 42 are constituted from a multiple-layered airingwhich is composed of a plurality of expandable airings that are layeredin their expanding direction. Each of the airings is designed to beexpanded perpendicularly toward the railway vehicle 90 from the waitinglocation 48, when the compressed air is supplied from the groundequipment 70. These expanders 41, 42 are arranged along the travelingdirection of the railway vehicle 90 on both sides of the refusedischarging duct 43, and are placed on the respective end portions of alongitudinal bottom beam 410. Above the expanders 41, 42, a ceiling beam420 is provided so that the expanders 41, 42 can cooperate to lift theconnector 45 toward the railway vehicle 90 (see FIG. 1). The reason whythe multiple-layered airing is used as the expanders 41, 42 is toprevent disconnection between the coupled faucet 14 and connector 45,etc. owing to the vibration caused during getting on and off of thepassengers. In other words, this multiple-layered airing twists andturns to the vibration of the railway vehicle 90 so as not to disconnectthe coupled faucet 13 and connector 45.

The refuse discharging duct 43 is for sending the refuse collectedinside the refuse reservoir 10 to the ground equipment 70 side. Thisrefuse discharging duct 43 is formed of a bellows-like expandable ductso that it can be expanded and contracted along with expansion andcontraction of the expanders 41, 42.

The tip of the refuse discharging duct 43 is fixed to the back side ofthe ceiling beam 420 on which the connector 45 is placed.

The connector 44 is for relaying the compressed air from the groundequipment 70 (see FIG. 1) to the compressed air supplying unit 12. It isprovided in the middle of the ceiling part of the expander 41 and is forbeing connected to the faucet 122.

The connector 45 is attached to the middle part of the longitudinallength of the ceiling beam 420 extending over the expanders 41, 42. Asshown in FIG. 4A, it has a communicating hole 451 which allowscommunication between the refuse discharging duct 43 and the outside.The connector 45 also has a female connecting portion 453 formed into ataper so that the opening area of the female connecting portion 453 isenlarged toward the tip, on the periphery of an end of the connector 45to which the faucet 13 is to be connected.

The shifter 46 is provided under the bottom beam 410. It moves theexpanders 41, 42 placed on the bottom beam 410 along the travelingdirection of the railway vehicle 90 according to instructions from thecontrol device 79. This shifter 46 corresponds to the travelingdirection shifting means of the present invention.

The ground side cover 47 is arranged on the ceiling part of the waitinglocation 48. It is opened and closed according to instructions from thecontrol device 79.

Constitution of the second feeding/discharging opening shifting device50 is explained hereafter.

This second feeding/discharging opening shifting device 50 comprises anexpander 51, a refuse discharging duct 52, a base water feeding duct 53,a connector 54, a connector 55, a shifter 56, and a ground side cover57. The second supply/discharging opening shifting device 60 isinstalled within a waiting location 58 excavated about in the middle ofthe travel passages 82, 82 with which the pair of wheels 96, 96 (seeFIG. 3) of the railway vehicle 90 are in contact.

The expander 51 is constituted from a multiple-layered airing which iscomposed of a plurality of expandable airings that are layered in theirexpanding direction. Each of the airings is designed to be expandedperpendicularly toward the railway vehicle 90 from the waiting location58, when the compressed air is supplied from the ground equipment 70.This expander 51 is arranged above an end of a longitudinal bottom beam510 extending along the traveling direction of the railway vehicle 90.

The refuse discharging duct 52 is for sending the sewage collectedinside the sewage tank 20 to the ground equipment 70 side via the sewagedischarging duct 21. It is connected to the ground equipment 70 sidethrough the middle of a ring of the expander 61. This sewage dischargingduct 52 is a flexible tube, and has a sufficient length on the groundside to be capable of being moved by the expander 51.

The base water feeding duct 53 is for supplying the base water into thesewage tank 20 from the ground equipment 70 side via the base waterfeeding duct 22. It is connected to the ground equipment 70 side throughthe middle of the ring of the expander 51. This base water feeding duct53 is also a flexible tube, and has a sufficient length on the groundside to be capable of being moved by the expander 51.

The connector 54 is connected to the sewage discharging duct 52, asshown in FIG. 5A. It has a communicating hole 541 leading to the sewagedischarging duct 52. The connector 54 comprises a female connectingportion 543 formed into a taper so that the opening area of the femaleconnecting portion 643 is enlarged toward the tip, on the periphery ofan end of the connector 54 which is to be connected to the faucet 23.

The connector 55 has a communicating hole 551 leading to the base waterfeeding duct 63, as shown in FIG. 6A. The connector 55 also comprises amale connecting portion 563 of which periphery of an end to which thefaucet 24 is to be connected is turned up to form an umbrella-likeshape. In a groove provided on the tip of the turnup, a gasket 554 isprovided so that the airtight connection between the female connectingportion 243 and a male connecting portion 553 can be realized.

The shifter 56 is provided under the bottom beam 510, as shown in FIG.2. It moves the expanders 51, 61 placed on the bottom beam 610 along thetraveling direction of the railway vehicle 90 according to instructionsfrom the control device 79. This shifter 56 corresponds to the travelingdirection shifting means of the present invention.

The ground side cover 57 is arranged on the ceiling part of the waitinglocation 48. It is opened and closed according to instructions from thecontrol device 79. As shown in FIG. 3, this ground side cover 57consists of two covers 570; 571 which swing open on fulcra provided inthe cross direction of the railway vehicle 90. The width of these covers570, 571 is determined so that they fall short of the bottom part 94 ofthe railway vehicle 90 when they are opened. The ground side cover 47 isconstituted in the same manner as the ground side cover 57.

Constitution of the third feeding/discharging opening shifting device 60is explained hereafter.

This third feeding/discharging opening shifting device 60 comprises theexpander 61, a water feeding duct 62, a water discharging duct 63, aconnector 64, a connector 65, the shifter 56, and the ground side cover57. The third supply/discharging opening shifting device 60 is installedwithin a waiting location 58.

The shifter 56 and ground side cover 57 have been described in theabove. Therefore, the descriptions thereof are not repeated.

The expander 61 is constituted from a multiple-layered airing which iscomposed of a plurality of expandable airings that are layered in theirexpanding direction. Each of the airings is designed to be expandedperpendicularly toward the railway vehicle 90 from the waiting location58, when the compressed air is supplied from the ground equipment 70.This expander 61 is arranged above the other end of the longitudinalbottom beam 510 along the traveling direction of the railway vehicle 90.

The water feeding duct 62 is for sending water into the water tank 30from the ground equipment 70 side via the water feeding duct 31. It isconnected to the ground equipment 70 side through the middle of a ringof the expander 61. This water feeding duct 62 is a flexible tube, andhas a sufficient length on the ground side to be capable of being movedby the expander 61.

The water discharging duct 63 is for discharging water collected in thewater tank 30 to the ground equipment 70 side via the water dischargingduct 32. It is connected to the ground equipment 70 side through themiddle of the ring of the expander 61. This water discharging duct 63 isalso a flexible tube, and has a sufficient length on the ground side tobe capable of being moved by the expander 61.

The connector 64 has a communicating hole 641 leading to the waterfeeding duct 62, as shown in FIG. 6A. The connector 64 comprises a maleconnecting portion 643 of which periphery of an end to which the faucet33 is to be connected is turned up to form an umbrella-like shape. In agroove provided on the tip of the turnup, a gasket 644 is provided sothat the airtight connection between the female connecting portion 333and the male connecting portion 643 can be realized.

The connector 65 is connected to the water discharging duct 63, as shownin FIG. 5A. It has a communicating hole 651 leading to the waterdischarging duct 63. The connector 65 also comprises a female connectingportion 653 formed into a taper so that the opening area of the femaleconnecting portion 653 is enlarged toward the tip.

Now, constitution of the ground equipment 70 is described.

This ground equipment 70 comprises a parking surveillance camera 71, avehicle parking position determination unit 72, a compressed air pump73, a refuse vacuuming unit 74, a sewage sucking unit 75, a waterfeeding valve 76, a base water feeding valve 77, a water dischargingpump 78, and a control device 79, as shown in FIG. 1.

The parking surveillance camera 71 takes a picture of the train anddetermines whether the train composed of the railway vehicle 90 isparked. It photographs the position where the train is parked at alltimes.

The vehicle parking position determination unit 72 detects the positionof a marker 99 painted on the railway vehicle 90, and determines whetherthere is a gap between the predetermined parking position at which therailway vehicle 90 is to be parked and the actual parking position atwhich the railway vehicle 90 is actually parked.

The compressed air pump 73 supplies compressed air for expanding andcontracting the expanders 41, 42, 51, 61 and for being spouted insidethe refuse reservoir 10. The compressed air pump 73 and expanders 41,42, 51, 61 correspond to the feeding/discharging opening shifting meansof the present invention.

The refuse vacuuming unit 74 is connected to the refuse discharging duct43. It vacuums the refuse collected inside the refuse reservoir 10 andsends the vacuumed refuse into a refuse storage facility not shown. Itis operated based on a process in the control device 79. The refusevacuuming unit 74 corresponds to the vacuuming means of the presentinvention.

The sewage sucking unit 75 is connected to the sewage discharging duct52. It sucks the sewage collected inside the sewage tank 20 from thesewage tank 20 and sends the sucked sewage into a sewage storagefacility not shown. It is operated based on a process in the controldevice 79.

The water feeding valve 76 is provided at a connecting point where awater line and the water feeding duct 62 are connected. As this waterfeeding valve 76 is opened, it is possible to feed water to the watertank 30 via the connector 64. It is opened and closed based on a processin the control device 79.

The base water feeding valve 77 is provided at a connecting point wherethe water line and the base water feeding duct 53 are connected. As thisbase water feeding valve 77 is opened, it is possible to feed base waterto the sewage tank 20 via the connector 55.

It is opened and closed based on a process in the control device 79.

The water discharging pump 78 is connected to the discharging duct 63.It discharges water stored inside the water tank 30 from the water tank30 via the connector 65, and sends the discharged water to a sewage linenot shown. It is operated based on a process in the control device 79.

The control device 79 performs a parking verifying process, a refusedischarging process, a sewage discharging and water feeding processlater explained.

It controls the overall automation system 1 for train maintenance of thepresent embodiment.

The refuse vacuuming unit 74, sewage sucking device 75, and waterfeeding valve 76 correspond to the feeding/discharging means of thepresent invention.

Processes to be performed in the control device 79 for controlling theautomation system 1 constituted as above are described hereafter.

The control device 79 firstly performs the parking verifying process toverify that the train is parked.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of this parking verifying process.

When the parking verifying process is started, the control device 79activates the parking surveillance camera 71 and determines whether thetrain entering the station yard, etc. is parked (S10). If the train isnot parked (S10: NO), the process returns to step S10.

If the railway vehicle 90 is parked (S10: YES), the process is ended.The step S10 corresponds to a process performed by the parkingdetermination means of the present invention.

After performing the parking verifying process as above, the controldevice 79 performs the refuse discharging process for discharging therefuse from the refuse reservoir 10. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the refusedischarging process, and FIGS. 9A-9F are explanatory views illustratingmovements of the respective devices in the refuse discharging process.In FIGS. 9A-9F, only the reference numbers for the devices operated inthe respective steps are shown.

When the refuse discharging process is started, the control device 79determines whether the railway vehicle 90 is parked within an allowablerange of the predetermined parking position using the vehicle parkingposition determination unit 72 (S20). If the railway vehicle 90 isparked beyond the allowable range (S20: NO), the control device 79activates the shifter 46 and shifts the expanders 41, 42 together withthe bottom beam 410 to eliminate the gap (S21). Then, the processproceeds to step S22. Steps S20 and S21 correspond to a processperformed by the access movement control means of the present invention.

In step S22, the control device 79 opens the ground side cover 47 (S22:FIG. 9A), opens the body side cover 14 (S23: arrow in FIG. 9B),activates the compressed air pump 73 to supply the compressed air intothe expanders 41, 42, expands the expanders 41, 42 to move theconnectors 44 and 45 close toward the railway vehicle 90, and performsaccess movement in which the connectors 44, 45 are connected with therespective faucets 122, 13 (S24: FIG. 9C). In this case, even if thepositions of the connector 45 and the faucet 13 are not aligned acrossthe traveling direction as shown in FIG. 4A, the control device 79 movesthe connector 45 close toward the faucet 13, forces the femaleconnecting portion 453 to abut the male connecting portion 136 and movesthe connector 45 upward as it is. Then, the female connecting portion453 moves along the taper, and connection between the female connectingportion 453 and the male connecting portion 136 is ensured (see FIG.4B). Accordingly, the aforesaid gap elimination does not necessarilyhave to be performed with high precision. It is sufficient to park therailway vehicle within an allowable range of the predetermined parkingposition. This step S24 corresponds to a process performed by the accessmovement control means of the present invention.

Subsequently, the control device 79 determines whether the connector 44and the faucet 122, and the connector 45 and the faucet 13 arerespectively connected by means of a not shown sensor equipped with therailway vehicle 90 (S25). If they are not connected (S25: NO), theprocess returns to S26. If they are connected (S25: YES), the controldevice 79 stops supplying the compressed air into the expanders 41, 42,locks the lid 182 of the trash box portion 18, and removes the secondinner partition 132 and the first inner partition 130 in this order(S26: see FIG. 4C). Then, it supplies the compressed air to thecompressed air supplying unit 12 to supply the air into the refusereservoir 10, activates the refuse vacuuming unit 74, and starts suctionof the refuse inside the refuse reservoir 10 (S27: FIG. 9D). Since therefuse is ground beforehand by the grinder 11, it is dischargedsmoothly. In addition, since the compressed air spouting from thecompressed air supplying unit 12 blows the refuse, the refuse isdischarged without being stuck. Step S25 corresponds to a processperformed by the connection determination means of the presentinvention, and step S27 corresponds to a process performed by thefeeding/discharging movement control means of the present invention.

When the suction of the refuse is started, it is determined whether therefuse vacuuming unit 74 has been operated normally for a predeterminedsuction period (S28). The refuse vacuuming unit 74 is designed to suckthe refuse at a certain suction rate per hour. In the presentembodiment, the suction period for which the refuse vacuuming unit 74 isoperated is preset to a period for which the refuse filling the refusereservoir 10 can be removed all. If the suction period has not yetpassed in step S28 (S28: NO), the process returns to step S28. If thesuction period has passed (S28: YES), the control device 79 stopsoperating the refuse vacuuming unit 74 and supplying the compressed airinto the compressed air supplying unit 12 (S29), brings the first innerpartition 130 and the second inner partition 132 back to their originalpositions in this order, and unlocks the lid 182 of the trash boxportion 18 (S30: FIG. 9E). It further opens a not shown dischargingvalve to discharge the air inside the expanders 41, 42, moves connectors44 and 45 away from the railway vehicle 90, and performs thedisconnection movement which allows the respective connectors 44, 45 tobe disconnected from the faucets 122, 13, respectively (S31). Step S28corresponds to a process performed by the feeding/discharging completiondetermination means, and step S31 corresponds to a process performed bythe disconnection movement means of the present invention.

Then, the control device 74 confirms that the expanders 41, 42 arebrought back within the waiting location 48 by means of a not shownsensor (S32). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9F, the control device 74closes the body side cover 14, closes the ground side cover 47 (S33),activates the shifter 46 to bring back the expanders 41, 42 to theiroriginal position (S34), and ends this refuse discharging process.

Aside from or in concurrence with the above refuse discharging process,the control device 79 performs the sewage discharging and waterfeeding/discharging process which allows the sewage to be dischargedfrom the sewage tank 20 and the water to be fed into and discharged fromthe water tank 30 after the aforementioned parking verification process.FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the sewage discharging and waterfeeding/discharging process, and FIGS. 11A-11E are explanatory viewsillustrating movements of the respective devices in this process. InFIGS. 11A-11E, only the reference numbers for the devices operated inthe respective steps are shown.

When the sewage discharging and water feeding/discharging process isstarted, the control device 79 firstly determines whether the railwayvehicle 90 is parked within an allowable range of the predeterminedparking position using the vehicle parking position determination unit72 (S40). If the railway vehicle 90 is parked beyond the allowable range(S40: NO), the control device 79 activates the shifter 56 and shifts theexpanders 51, 52 together with the bottom beam 510 to eliminate the gap(S41). Then, the process proceeds to step S42. Steps S40 and S41correspond to a process performed by the access movement control meansof the present invention.

In step S42, the control device 79 opens the ground side cover 57 andthe body side covers 25, 35 (S42: arrow in FIG. 11A), activates thecompressed air pump 73 to supply the compressed air into the expanders51, 61, expands the expanders 51, 61 to move the connectors 54, 55, 64,65 close toward the railway vehicle 90, and performs access movement inwhich the connectors 54, 55, 64, 65 are connected with the respectivefaucets 23, 24, 33, 34 (S43: FIG. 11B). In this case, even if thepositions of the connector 54, 55, 64, 65 and the faucets 23, 24, 33, 34are not aligned more or less across the traveling direction as shown inFIGS. 5A and 6A, connection between them is ensured in the same manneras the aforementioned connection between the faucet 13 and the connector45. This step S43 corresponds to a process performed by the accessmovement control means of the present invention.

Subsequently, the control device 79 determines whether the connectors54, 55, 64, 65 and the faucets 23, 24, 33, 34 are respectively connectedby means of a not shown sensor equipped with the railway vehicle 90(S44). If the connection is not detected (S44: NO), the process returnsto S44. If the connection is detected (S44: YES), the control device 79stops supplying the compressed air into the expanders 51, 61, opens thevalves 239, 339, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C, to activate the sewagesucking unit 75. At the same time, it opens the water feeding valve 76to start sucking of the sewage collected inside the sewage tank 20 andfeeding of water into the water tank 30 (S45: FIG. 11C). As mentionedabove, it is necessary to discharge the water stored in the water tank30 when the water in the water tank has been held more than a certainperiod of time. In this case, the control device 79 may open the valve349 (see FIG. 6C) to perform a water discharging process and startsupplying water to the water tank 30 (S45), after the connection betweenthe connectors 65, etc. and the faucets 34, etc. is detected (S40: YES).Step S44 corresponds to a process performed by the connectiondetermination means of the present invention, and step S45 correspondsto a process performed by the feeding/discharging movement control meansof the present invention.

Then, it is determined whether the sewage is removed completely and thewater tank 30 is filled with water (S46). The sewage sucking unit 75 isdesigned to suck the sewage at a certain suction rate per hour.Therefore, whether the sewage is completely removed is determined onwhether a period of time required to remove the sewage filling thesewage tank 20 has passed. The water tank 30 is equipped with a notshown priming-water detector. Whether water has filled the water tank 30is determined on whether the priming-water detector detected that thewater tank 30 is filled with water. Step S46 corresponds to a processperformed by the feeding/discharging completion determination means.

In step S46, if it is determined negatively (S46: NO), the processreturns to step S46. If it is determined affirmatively (S46: YES), thecontrol device 79 closes the valves 239, 339 to stop the operation ofthe sewage sucking unit 75, and closes the water feeding valve 76 tostop suction of the sewage and feeding of water (S47). Then, as to thesewage tank 20, the base water feeding valve 77 and the valve 249 areopened after the sewage is removed, and a predetermined amount of basewater is fed (S48). The base water may be fed during discharge of thesewage.

Subsequently, a not shown discharging valve is opened to discharge theair inside the expanders 51, 61, and the disconnection movement in whichthe connectors 54, 55, 64, 65 are disconnected from the faucets 23, 24,33, 34 is performed (S49). Step S49 corresponds to a process performedby the disconnection movement means of the present invention.

Then, the control device 74 confirms that the expanders 51, 61 areplaced within the waiting location 58 by means of a not shown sensor(S50). Subsequently, the control device 74 closes the body side covers25, 35 (FIG. 11D), closes the ground side cover 57 (S51: FIG. 11E),moves back the shifter 56 to its original position (S52), and ends thissewage discharging and water feeding/discharging process.

Utilization of the automation system 1 for train maintenance of thepresent invention which operates as above produces advantages as below.

Firstly, in the automation system 1 for train maintenance of the presentembodiment, the operation for connecting and disconnecting theconnectors 45, 54, 65, 64, 65 (which correspond to thefeeding/discharging opening of the present invention) to and from therefuse reservoir 10, sewage tank 20 and water tank 30, and the operationfor discharging the refuse and sewage and feeding water by the refusevacuuming unit 74, sewage sucking unit 75 and opening and closing of thewater feeding valve 76 are automated. Therefore, utilization of thisautomation system 1 realizes automatic train maintenance without humanintervention.

The automation system 1 of the present embodiment makes adjustment toeliminate the gap when the actual parking position and the predeterminedparking position differ (S20-S21). As a result, even if the railwayvehicle 90 is not parked at the predetermined position, the connectors45, 54, 55, 64, 65 are automatically moved to the appropriate positionwhere train maintenance can be performed. Therefore, utilization of theautomation system 1 of the present embodiment enables automatic trainmaintenance even if the railway vehicle 90 is not parked at the rightposition.

In the automation system 1 of the present embodiment, themultiple-layered airing is adopted. Therefore, when the railway vehicle90 vibrates during getting on and off of the passengers, the expanders41, 42, 51, 61 also vibrate to the vibration of the railway vehicle 90.Consequently, disconnection of the connectors 45, 54, 55, 63, 64 fromthe refuse reservoir 10, sewage tank 20 and water tank 30 are avoided.Utilization of the automation system 1 of the present embodiment ensuresreliable train maintenance even during getting on and off of thepassengers.

In the automation system 1 of the present embodiment, the refusecollected in the refuse reservoir 10 is ground. Therefore, even therefuse larger than the cross section of the refuse discharging duct 43is discharged without fail.

In the automation system 1 for train maintenance of the presentembodiment, when the refuse is vacuumed, the mouth 180 provided in thepassenger cabin of the railway vehicle 90 is sealed with the lid 182.Therefore, suction of the air in the passenger cabin is avoided, anddischarge of the refuse is performed without offending the passengers.In addition, in the automation system 1 for train maintenance of thepresent embodiment, the compressed air supplying unit 12 supplies theair into the refuse reservoir 10 upon vacuuming. Therefore, suction ofthe air initially present inside the refuse reservoir 10 which isairtight by sealing of the mouth 180 does not hinder continuousdischarge of the refuse in virtue of the supplied air. Even if the airpressure inside the refuse reservoir 10 is lowered, collapse of therefuse reservoir 10 can be avoided.

In the automation system 1 of the present embodiment, the air suppliedinto the refuse reservoir 10 spouts toward the stored refuse. Therefore,the refuse is diffused and can be discharged without being stuck insidethe refuse reservoir 10.

The automation system 1 of the present embodiment ensures connection ofthe connectors 45, etc. to the refuse reservoir 10, etc., even if therailway vehicle 90 is not parked at the right position and theconnectors 45, etc. are more or less off the attaching position at whichthe connectors 45, etc. are to be attached to the refuse reservoir 10,etc. If the positions of the male connecting portions 136, etc arewithin the opening area of the female connecting portions 453, etc.,either of the male connecting portions 136, etc. or the femaleconnecting portions 142, etc. moves along the taper while the connectors45, etc. are approaching toward the railway vehicle 90. As a result, theconnectors 45, etc. are lead to the position capable of being connectedto the refuse reservoir 10, etc., and connections of the connectors 45,etc. to the refuse reservoir 10, etc. are ensured.

The automation system 1 for train maintenance of the present embodimentis provided with the partition walls 15, 26, 36 to prevent fluctuationof air pressure from affecting the air inside of the railway vehicle 90through the openings on the railway vehicle 90 for connecting theconnectors 44, 46, 54, 55, 64, 65 to the refuse reservoir 10, sewagetank 20 and water tank 30 equipped with the railway vehicle 90.Accordingly, even if the air pressure is fluctuated due to passing ofthe other trains during the train maintenance, the fluctuation does notaffect the air inside the railway vehicle 90. Thus the environmentinside the railway vehicle 90 is kept comfortable.

In addition, train maintenance had been conventionally performed by alaborer by hand from the front vehicle to the succeeding vehicles oneafter another. Then, it was necessary to park the train for a long timefor maintenance. However, if all the railway vehicles are brought undermaintenance at a time by using the automation system 1 for trainmaintenance of the present embodiment, maintenance time required fortrain maintenance can be considerably reduced. Thus operatingperformance of trains can be raised.

The present invention should not be limited to the above describedembodiment, and other modifications and variations might be possiblewithout departing from the technical scope of the invention.

For instance, the ground side covers 47, 57 may be slid to the travelingdirection to be opened and closed.

If the inner partition 130 can seal the refuse reservoir 10 at any giventime, or if it is not required to seal the refuse reservoir 10regardless of the refuse being stuck in the space where the innerpartition 130 is provided, the second inner partition 132 can beomitted.

In the present embodiment, the male connecting portion 136 is providedwith the faucet 13 for discharging the refuse, and the female connectingportion 453 is provided with the connector 45, for example. However, afemale connecting portion may be provided with the faucet 13, and a maleconnecting portion may be provided with the connector 45.

The automation system of the present embodiment may be used as a unitfor feeding a fuel to a power source car connected to a sleeper train,electricity supply facilities of a maglev train, or a railway motor car.

The multiple-layered airing is used for the expanders 41, 42, to preventthe coupled faucet 13 and connector 45 from being disconnected when therailway vehicle 90 is vibrated during getting on and off of thepassengers. However, if such vibration is not necessarily taken intoaccount, the expanders 41, 42, 51, 61 may be constituted from ahydraulic jack, etc.

The automation system 1 of the present embodiment may only be providedwith one of these: equipment for discharging refuse, equipment fordischarging sewage, and equipment for feeding water.

If the automation system 1 is used for a railway vehicle of theconventional railway lines, the body side cover 14 and partition wall 15are not necessarily required. Because passing of the other trains doesnot cause substantial change in the air pressure and there is littleinfluence on the air inside of the railway vehicle 90.

It is preferable that a device space where the devices which support theautomation system 1 are installed and a passing space where the railwayvehicle 90 passes are not communicated with each other via the waitinglocations 48, 58, and that the device apace is sealed against thewaiting locations 48, 58. The devices which support the automationsystem 1 are, for example, laying pipes via which the compressed air issent to the waiting locations 48, 58, the compressed air pump 73, etc.In this manner, even if the air pressure in the passing space isfluctuated due to passing of the other trains and there is a laborer whoperforms maintenance on the devices in the device area, the fluctuationin the air pressure in the passing space does not affect the laborer.The laborer can perform maintenance on the devices in a comfortableenvironment.

In the present embodiment, expanders 61, etc. of the automatic system 1are expanded and contracted in the vertical direction under the railwayvehicle 90. However, for example, if the water tank 30, etc. areprovided on the side face of the railway vehicle 90, or on the ceiling,the expanders 61, etc. may be provided on the ground, so that theconnectors 64; etc. can be moved close to or away from the railwayvehicle 90 in the lateral direction, or in the vertical direction abovethe railway vehicle 90.

Industrial Availability

As described in details in the above, the automation system for trainmaintenance of the present invention can automate maintenance of a trainwithout human intervention.

1. An automation system for train maintenance that performs trainmaintenance when the train is parked, comprising: storing means providedin a railway vehicle forming the train, feeding/discharging means,installed on the ground, for feeding the storage to be supplied to thestoring means or discharging storage to be discharged from the storingmeans via a feeding/discharging opening; feeding/discharging openingshifting means for performing access movement in which thefeeding/discharging opening of the feeding/discharging means is movedclose toward the railway vehicle from a waiting location on the groundto connect the feeding/discharging opening to the storing means, anddisconnection movement in which the feeding/discharging openingconnected to the storing means is moved away from the railway vehicletoward the waiting location to disconnect the feeding/dischargingopening from the storing means; parking determination means fordetermining whether the trains is parked; connection determination meansfor determining whether the feeding/discharging opening is connected tothe storing means; feeding/discharging completion determination meansfor determining whether the feeding of the storage to be supplied or thedischarge of the storage to be discharged is completed; access movementcontrol means for urging the feeding/discharging opening shifting meansto perform the access movement when the parking determination meansdetermines that the train is parked; feeding/discharging movementcontrol means for urging the feeding/discharging means to feed thestorage to be fed or to discharge the storage to be discharged when theconnection determination means determines that the feeding/dischargingopening is connected to the storing means; and disconnection movementcontrol means for urging the feeding/discharging opening shifting meansto perform the disconnection movement when the feeding/dischargingcompletion means determines that the feeding of the storage to besupplied or the discharge of the storage to be discharged is completed;and traveling direction shifting means for shifting thefeeding/discharging opening along the traveling direction of the train,wherein said access movement control means urges said travelingdirection shifting means to move said feeding/discharging opening toeliminate a gap between an actual parking position and a predeterminedparking position of the train and urges said feeding/discharging openingshifting means to perform said access movement, when said parkingdetermination means determines that said train is parked and there issuch a gap.
 2. The automation system for train maintenance as set forthin claim 1 wherein said feeding/discharging opening shifting means isconstituted from a vibration absorbent which absorbs vibration of saidrailway vehicle.
 3. The automation system for train maintenance as setforth in claim 2 wherein said feeding/discharging opening shifting meansis constituted from a multiple-layered airing which is composed ofexpandable airings that are layered in their expanding direction.
 4. Theautomation system for train maintenance as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid storing means comprises grinding means for grinding said storage tobe discharged inside the storing means.
 5. The automation system fortrain maintenance as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidfeeding/discharging means corresponds to vacuuming means for vacuumingand discharging said storage to be discharged from said storing means,the storing means comprising: a lid capable of sealing a mouth providedinside said railway vehicle for throwing the waste into the storingmeans; and air supplying means for supplying the air into the storingmeans, wherein the mouth is sealed with the lid and the air is suppliedfrom the air supplying means into the storing means, while the vacuumingmeans vacuums and discharges the storage to be discharged.
 6. Theautomation system for train maintenance as set forth in claim 5 whereinsaid air supplying means diffuses said storage to be discharged by meansof the air supplied into said storing means.
 7. The automation systemfor train maintenance as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: femaleconnecting means provided in one of a connection opening of said storingmeans and the feeding/discharging opening of said feeding/dischargingmeans and formed into a taper so that the opening area of the femaleconnecting means is enlarged toward the tip; and male connecting meansprovided in the other of the connection opening of the storing means andthe feeding/discharging opening of the feeding/discharging means to beconnected to the female connecting means, wherein said access movementcontrol means urges said feeding/discharging opening shifting means toperform said access movement when the female connecting means faces themale connecting means.
 8. The automation system for train maintenance asset forth in claim 1 comprising isolation means that prevents thefluctuation in the air pressure from affecting the environment insidethe railway vehicle through an opening provided on the railway vehiclefor connecting said feeding/discharging opening to said storing meansinstalled in the railway vehicle.